In pics: Brawl erupts at Tyrone GAA match

Published Sunday, 13 November 2011

Tyrone GAA chiefs have promised a full investigation after a mass brawl at the Division One League final spilled over into the crowd, with spectators involved in ugly scenes.

PICTURE

GALLERY

On-pitch trouble spills over into the stands.

Fighting which broke out between players in the closing stages of the title decider between Carrickmore and Dromore sparked trouble in the stand at Dunmoyle.

A number of spectators were left with open wounds as a result of the disturbance, which lasted almost 10 minutes.

See pictures in our gallery Carrickmore v Dromore: Brawl Erupts

Two Carrickmore players received straight red cards as a direct result of the on-field disorder, with Dromore running out five points winners once order was restored.

County chairman Ciaran McLaughlin promised that an in-depth investigation will be undertaken by the county's Competitions Control Committee.

"The matter will be left in the hands of the CCC," Mr McLaughlin said.

"Obviously they will have to investigate it completely and fully and if there are sanctions to be brought, they will be brought."

Adding that the involvement of spectators is a worrying development, he said: "When something happens outside the perimeter of the field and spectators become involved, it is very serious."

Earlier this season, a referee was seriously assaulted at a ladies match in Tyrone, as a result of which two men, one of them a member of the Carrickmore management team, received lifetime bans.

Comments

23 Comments

Forsythe in Belfast wrote (192 days ago):

Full responsibility lies within the players involved - Tyrone GAA need to clamp down on the guilty players and officials, lengthy bans can only be acceptable. These stories are blown out of all proportion by the media also and we all know the earlier comments are only driven by bigotry and hatred. What has the Irish League got to do with GAA. Get real and leave the people involved to sort it out. You all dont know what you are talking about.

Coilin Daly in Sydney Austrailia wrote (192 days ago):

Lets not all jump to conclusions about old scores being settled etc... All clubs within tyrone are involved in fights on a weekly basis! As a past referee i walked off the field on numerous occassions when fights errupted among players, officials and spectators! I just couldn't be bothered adding fuel to the fire by handing out cards! Its obvious that the county board will hand out severe punishments to both clubs as they are 2 of the topflight clubs within Tyrone! Perhaps the "foreign" sport spectators could stick to what they know best! They haven't contributed to the GAA ontil the recent opening of headquarters so why are they interested now??? Jealousy i presume! If a fight errupts in a soccer or rugby match it is always covered more by the media as their sports are covered more at all stages of the year! Did anyone even know that Crossmaglen beat Ballinderry in the ulster club final??? This got an entire 1 minute 30 seconds of coverage on both UTV and BBC! Highlight the GAA's better side in future!!!

louise murphy in tyrone wrote (192 days ago):

again carrickmore show the type of thuggery which they beleive they can bring to any game in any code. This is the 3rd row this year they have been involved in Incident with simon brady { ref } @ ladies football match, then in the county hurling final they started a row with their opponents Naomh columcille and now this latest episode. Some of those invoved yesterday were also involved in previous incidents and we again have the carrickmore club condemming this violence, but what are they doing about it or come to think of it whats the county board doing about it. If it was any other club they would have their pitch closed and banned from the following years competitions. It will be interesting to see what they do this time or is mclaughlins words just nice sound bites.

Robert Sands in ballymena wrote (192 days ago):

If this had happened at an Irish League football match the police would have been involved and the media would have had a field day. If it had happened at a Northern Ireland game then nationalist politicians would have been calling for all sorts of enquiries. Talking to people who attend gaa matches this seems to be a regular ocurrence. Why is there no action from the PSNI?

steven in belfast wrote (192 days ago):

if this had of been irish league match ie linfield there would be video footage. a few pics of the fighting and thats it. i would have to agree with dean utv are VERY silent on the issue.

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